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dinsdag 5 juni 2012

"Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan has always said the show would follow former high school chemistry teacher Walter White's journey "from Mr. Chips to Scarface."

Based on the key art for the upcoming fifth season, he's just about completed the journey.

No leopard prints and palatial mansion for Mr. White, though: the new image shows Bryan Cranston, the actor behind White, sitting in his hazmat suit with containers of White's trademark blue meth, and plenty of cash.

You were thinking maybe he would get out of the meth game? Yeah, no.

The fifth and final season of "Breaking Bad" which will be broken into two, eight-season stretches, with the final episode airing next year -- kicks off on July 15.

At Spike’s Guys Choice Awards, the talent lineup was serious, while the FCC-unfriendly vocabulary was more akin to Sirius.

If the Four Seasons designed a Medieval Times in Aspen, it would look like the massive stone castle that hosted the fraternity reunion for Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn.

The cast of “Old School” gathered for the first time since the Friendster era on the Sony lot on Saturday night for Spike's annual June feast of talent.

As the 2003 comedy was inducted into the “Guy Movie Hall of Fame,” director Todd Phillips leveraged the airtime to settle an old score.

“Noted jerkoff Roger Ebert gave the movie one star and said ‘this is not a funny movie,’” Phillips gloated.

At his side, Ferrell honored the occasion by hoisting a shoebox-sized turkey leg in the air and yelling “Game of Thrones!”

Other big names letting their guard down on the Spike stage represent similar booking coups for the cable network.

Many of the faces would be just as at home presenting on stage or attending Hollywood and Highland on a Sunday in late February: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Nolan, Phillips and the foursome pictured above - Matthew McConaughey, Camila Alves, Jeremy Renner and Channing Tatum.

Justin Timberlake paid back an invitation I.O.U, bringing the female marine who invited him to last year’s Marine Corps Ball, Kelsey De Santis, while accepting the Troops' Choice award.

Viacom president and CEO Philipe Dauman, Debbie Dauman, Timberlake, Patriots owner and Viacom board member Robert Kraft and Ricki Lander backstage at the show.

Between the black pipe and drapes that barely contained the bustling backstage lounge, the warmest reception came between MTV Entertainment Networks president Doug Herzog and Adam Sandler.

Their relationship goes back nearly 25 years to when Herzog helped give Sandler a break on MTV’s first ever non-music video program: “Remote Control.”

Moments earlier, industry social pillar Pantera Sarah brokered introductions between Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Sandler, as Channing Tatum quickly polished a cocktail before stepping out of the heavily guarded area and heading toward the stage.

In another circle, Seth MacFarlane held court with a group of media defending against the reaction to his “Family Guy” Emmy screener that arrived last week. “Come on, you bloated, overprivileged Brentwood Jews. Let us into your little club,” the animated Peter Griffin says on the cover.

While the talent, their guests, and their publicists largely ignored the live feed in favor of each other, Robert Smigel’s Triumph the Insult Comic Dog riff on the “Douchebags of the Year” was the one segment that craned heads and hushed the greenroom.

Sample shtick: “Rihanna and Chris Brown are making music together again? Those two go together like peanut butter and whatever punches peanut butter in the face.”

Had Kobe Bryant and the Lakers playoff fortunes been richer, Bryant would have been playing the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night instead of greeting noted Laker fan Tobey Maguire and posing for photos with troops in uniform, the largest and most vocal constituency of the live audience.

While the made-for-TV awards show tapes 24 hours before corporate cousin “MTV’s Movie Awards” airs live and shares a lot of the same summer movie talent, Executive Producer Casey Patterson’s partnerships and pull with the A-list talent community, along with an “eat with your hands” dinner feast lubricated with flowing drinks and allergy to awards-show banter in lieu of variety-show bits sets the Spike show apart.

The clubhouse vibe in front and back of the house suggests the same authenticity as Comedy Central’s infamous roasts, while MTV’s cheer-on-command infomercial with LMFAO (again) the following night offers a prepackaged whiff by comparison.

Patterson, (EVP of Event Production, Talent, and Studio Relations for the Viacom Entertainment Group) and Carol Donovan executive-produce the two-hour special that premieres next Saturday night, June 9, at 9:00 p.m., before lots of repeats.

As Russell Brand presided over the actual MTV’s festivities at Universal on Sunday, his fellow Brits were making a break for the westside.

On palatial grounds built by “American Top 40” money (Casey Kasem’s house), BAFTA Los Angeles celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a garden party for about 500 accented Angelenos timed to the festivities happening in honor of Queen Elizabeth II in London.

"Downton Abbey's" Michelle Dockery sprung into action as a first responder when pal Brenda Vaccaro missed a step and took a tumble down some stairs. No hats were damaged.

While guests were glue gunning Union Jack flags, prop passports, and even mini Smurf figurines in kilts on to colorful hats in the pop-up haberdashery, royal cousins everywhere were teeming with jealousy.

New Regency Productions appointed Andrew Plotkin as the new vice president of television in an apparent move to beef up its small-screen production, finance and distribution deals.

Plotkin, the former senior vice president of original programming at Syfy, will be charged with developing programming and overseeing the studio's production unit.

“We set out to grow our television business in much the same way that we have built our film business -- through a talent-driven and hands-on approach that allows Regency to be a part of projects and partnerships that we believe in,” CEO Brad Weston said in a statement. “Andrew brings immense talent and unparalleled enthusiasm to Regency. We could not be more thrilled to have him on our team as we re-energize our television division.”

Plotkin will work to extend the company's current television projects, including a first-look agreement with ADD, Israel's largest content agency. The new hire will also supervise the production of Regency's HBO drama "Beat the Reaper."

Prior to working at Syfy, Plotkin was an executive producer and partner at the Warner Bros Television-based Class IV Productions and served as the vice president of drama development at WBTV.

Forget "Hatfields & McCoys" -- the real feud playing out across television is between AMC and satellite provider Dish TV.

In another escalation in the ongoing battle between AMC and Dish, the latter relocated AMC's networks to the hinterlands on Sunday night, moving AMC, WEtv ad IFC to the back end of its program listings.

AMC and its sister networks were pushed to the outer reaches of Dish's program spectrum, which translates into a lot of tedious scrolling for someone who just wants to kick back and watch "Mad Men."

The shift in channels is but the latest volley in an increasingly ugly standoff between AMC and Dish. The move comes after AMC ran several ads Sunday calling on Dish customers to complain to the company about its plans to drop AMC, Sundance, and other AMC networks when their contract expires this month. AMC has set up a website, keepamcnetworks.com, to help Dish subscribers pressure Dish.

Dish announced it would drop the networks after it suffered a legal setback in a lawsuit over Voom HD, an indirect subsidiary of AMC Networks. It said it was dropping the networks because they are expensive and deliver low ratings, which AMC disputes, pointing to the popularity of hits like "The Walking Dead."

AMC maintained its stance in a statement provided to TheWrap, saying that Dish's maneuverings are "in retaliation for an unrelated lawsuit."

"It is unfortunate that, in retaliation for an unrelated lawsuit, Dish is punishing its customers by threatening to drop the AMC Networks, and with this sudden, dramatic change in channel position, making it extremely difficult for their customers to find and watch some of the most popular and acclaimed shows on television," AMC's statement reads. "We've begun letting fans of 'Mad Men,' 'The Walking Dead,' 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Killing,' and our other shows know that they may lose this programming, which is available on every other major satellite and cable TV provider."

Voom is suing Dish, accusing it of breaching a contract in which Dish agreed to carry Voom's suite of HD networks for 15 years. Voom contends that Dish improperly terminated the contract in 2008, and is seeking more than $2.5 billion in damages.

Dish is also involved in separate litigation with ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC over its Auto Hop function, which allows viewers to skip the commercials on previously aired shows.

Ricky Martin's victory in the Apprentice final delivered a peak audience of almost 7m on Sunday (June 3) evening, while the BBC's coverage of the Diamond Jubilee topped 10m viewers, according to the latest official data.

The business reality show averaged 5.98m (25.2%) on BBC One in the two hours from 8.45pm, peaking at 6.89m (27.8%) as Lord Sugar chose his next business partner.

Earlier in the day, the BBC benefited from the dismal weather in London to attract an average audience of 10.33m (55.9%) viewers to its coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, between 1.30pm and 6.15pm.

Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Secret Service, about the Take That star's creation of a song for the Jubilee, was seen by 6.35m (27.7%) on BBC One from 7.45pm. The Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant Highlights sailed away with 1.49m (16%) from 11.15pm.

Over on ITV1, All the Queen's Horses: A Diamond Jubilee Special enthralled 3.68m (17.2%) from 6.30pm and 139k (0.6%) on ITV1+1, but lost out to Countryfile's 6.38m (30.7%) on BBC One.

A Sunday night episode of Coronation Street was enjoyed by 5.91m (23.4%) on ITV1 from 8.30pm and 257k (1.1%) on +1. Afterwards, Vera captivated 4.56m (19.9%) and 173k (1.1%) on +1.

Singapore 1942: End of Empire was seen by 720k (3.4%) on BBC Two in the 7pm hour, and then Indian Ocean with Simon Reeve grabbed 1.63m (6.8%) from 8pm and 160k (0.7%) on BBC HD.

Coast pulled in 1.69m (6.9%) in the 9pm slot and 102k (0.4%) in HD. TOP2 stayed tuneful with 820k (3.7%) from 10pm and When Disco Ruled the World delighted 900k (5.5%).

The presenter is currently hosting new Channel 4 series Gok Cooks Chinese, which showcases his passion for Chinese food and culture.

However, he has revealed that he would "die of embarrassment" if he were called a TV chef.

"Not because it's a bad thing. Just because I'm not really. I'm a cook and I do my job on the telly," he told PA.

Talking about his cooking past, he said: "I used to work for my dad in the kitchen. And it's one thing serving food for friends, but another serving it to people who are paying for it, because you have a huge amount of responsibility that comes with it.

"I think that's where my confidence comes from."

The third episode of Gok Cooks Chinese airs tonight (June 4) at 8.30pm on Channel 4.

The MTV Movie Awards took a hit with the ceremony's airing on Sunday night, shedding nearly a third of the viewership it received last year on a night of stiff competition.

Sunday night's awards show averaged 3.2 million total viewers -- a 29 percent drop compared to last year, when the MTV Movie Awards were watched by 4.5 million total viewers.

In fairness, the Russell Brand-hosted awards ceremony was up against some heavy hitters Sunday night, including the NBA playoffs and the season finale of "Game of Thrones," which yielded a series record for the hit HBO drama.

Last year's awards show also had the benefit of a "Jersey Shore" marathon as a lead-in.

On the bright side for the network, the season 2 premiere of "Teen Wolf" performed strongly, drawing in 2.1 million total viewers. ("Teen Wolf"'s time-period premiere is Monday night at 10 p.m.)

Simon Cowell has allegedly said that he will "never work" with Jessie J again.

The X Factor boss is reported to have stated that he "can't stand" the singer after seeing her as a coach on The Voice UK and hearing her making negative comments about his own shows.

Jessie J appeared as a guest judge on The X Factor UK last year, but has since described the show as "gimmicky".

"Simon used to really rate Jessie, both as an artist and as a person. Now he can't stand her," a source told The Mirror.

"He thinks her exploits during The Voice have killed off all credibility she had, not least when she slagged him off in interviews. Similarly, producers were livid about the comments she made about The X Factor, when she claimed the programme was gimmicky.

"She had performed on the show so everyone is fuming. Simon will never work with Jessie again. And the show's execs feel she has made her BBC bed and must now lie in it. She wanted to plug her new single on this year's X Factor but Simon has said 'no'."

It was previously reported that Simon Cowell had tried to poach Jessie J from BBC One to become a permanent judge on The X Factor, but that she turned the offer down.

However, Jessie J told that she was still a fan of the "wonderful" X Factor earlier this year.

Mads Mikkelson will play the lead character in NBC's upcoming "Hannibal," portraying the "Silence of the Lambs" cannibal in his younger years, the network announced Monday.

Mikkelsen, a 46-year-old Danish actor, is fresh from a Best Actor win at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in "The Hunt." He plays a man who is the victim of public hysteria after he is accused of child molestation. He will also appear in next year's "Thor 2," and his past films include "Casino Royale" and "Clash of the Titans."

In an extremely unfortunate bit of timing, NBC announced the casting just as cannibalistic crimes are increasingly in the news. The midseason series is expected to begin shooting next month, with Hugh Dancy playing Lecter's nemesis, FBI Agent Will Graham.

Mikkelson joins a long line of Lecters, including Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for "Silence" and subsequently played him in "Hannibal" and "Red Dragon." Other Hannibals include Brian Cox, who played him in "Manhunter," and Gaspard Ulliel, who played the young Hannibal in "Hannibal Rising."

The show will be set before "Red Dragon" (which was first filmed as "Manhunter,") the first of Thomas Harris' books about the psychiatrist and serial killer.

Samuel L. Jackson seems determined to challenge Neil Patrick Harris for the title of That Guy Who Hosts Everything.

"Avengers" star Jackson, who'll host the BET Awards on July 1, has also signed on to hold court over this year's Video Game Awards for Spike TV.

Jackson previously had a three-year run hosting the VGAs, from 2005 to 2007.

“I’m thrilled to once again preside over the biggest night of gaming,” Jackson said of the hosting gig. “And to all the gamers out there – you better circle the date right now and not make any plans that night – you don’t want to be that one guy among your friends who misses this show.”

Mark Burnett, who executive-produced last year's ceremony, will return this year to executive-produce again.

This year's Video Game Awards, dubbed "VGA Ten" for its 10th anniversary, will air live on Spike TV and Spike.com on Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

“The combination of Samuel L. Jackson and the Tenth Anniversary of the ‘Video Game Awards’ are already making this year’s show a must-see event for gamers all around the world,” Burnett enthused, “and we haven’t even started talking about all of the World Premieres yet!”

The champion of Channel 5's first regular series last year also criticised the lack of aftercare that was available to housemates after the show finished, and said that he "fears" for this year's crop of hopefuls.

"I genuinely fear for them, they don't realise what they're letting themselves in for," he told The Wright Stuff.

"They give you very little preparation for what's likely to happen. From my year, with the 15 of us, I know that four of them have tried to commit suicide after the show just because of the ramifications and impact that it has on your life.

"You're not prepared and you don't have the aftercare that perhaps you should be getting afterwards. The people that are going in tomorrow, they're not gonna hear this."

However, he did not mention which housemates he was referring to while speaking on the Channel 5 talk show.

Allard-Morgan also spoke about his relationship with fellow housemate Faye Palmer, saying that they are still together.

"Big Brother is a game show, and everybody who goes in there plays a game, including myself. You come out and you're not sure if the person who you could have this relationship with was playing a game with yourself.

"And I knew that I was very much in love with her and it turned out she was the same so it worked out brilliantly."

Speaking about a possible TV show spin-off featuring the pair, he added: "We were looking into it, we filmed a pilot. It was great fun to do, but we're not sure what's happening with that at the moment, so we'll see."

Big Brother's latest series premieres tomorrow night (June 5), starting with an auditions special at 8pm, followed by the live launch at 9pm on Channel 5.

"Mad Men" star Jared Harris says his character, Lane Pryce, killed himself in the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce office as a "fuck you" to his colleagues.

On Sunday's episode of the AMC series, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) ordered Pryce to resign after catching him embezzling. Pryce tried to gas himself in his new Jaguar, but it had starter trouble. So he hung himself in his office instead.

"He was angry and it was an expression of his anger," Harris said in a conference call with reporters Monday. "It was a passive aggressive act. ... It was a 'fuck you' to the office, to the people who worked there, particularly to Don.

Harris said the show's creator, Matthew Weiner, told him about his character's impending death after a table read. He realized something was wrong when Weiner invited him to his office for a talk.

Pryce's failure to die in the Jaguar came despite meticulous preparation: He broke his glasses in half, carefully turned a hose from his exhaust pipe inward, and used a towel to keep any gas from escaping. That raised the question of whether Lane has considered suicide before -- one Harris said was a good question to consider.

"I see Lane as being a fairly thorough man," he said.

The hanging required Harris to remain completely still, attached to an office door by a harness, with his tongue hanging out. He said he was tempted to break into song to surprise his fellow actors.

"The hardest thing for me was, I just kept wanting to break into that Monty Python song, 'Always Look On the Bright Side of Life,'" he said. "But it would have thrown them off."